Johnny's Peak Meter

Ken H.

Active member
Sep 9, 2000
19,427
5
38
Despite that "too many already" admission, I couldn't resist ordering that
meter, whose price has now gone from $15.72 to $25.72. Here's the Review I
just posted to Amazon:
=======================================
Well, that didn't turn out well: I bought the meter on 6 Jan 2018 and
didn't get around to using it until last night, 2 Mar. I used it because
the heat pump quit after dark so I need the illuminated display.
Unfortunately, that turns itself off after 15 seconds -- not long enough
for my old self to do anything useful. Using a mouth-held flashlight, I
measured about 12 volts on all 3 phases of the power to the HVAC, so called
the power company. Imagine my MSEE embarrassment when their meter showed
120 volts at those 3 points! The heat pump had an internal failure, not
power loss. Today I've tested and found that on all ac and DC ranges, the
reading is only 1/10 what it should be -- the decimal is misplaced. The
only other range I tested is *C/*F -- that's at least 10*F low. The real
disappointment is that my Amazon return period expired on 7 Feb. :-(
=======================================

So, if you've bought one, or plan to, be sure to check it ASAP after it
arrives.

If I can't get warranty support for it, I'll stick a warning label on it
and probably never read that again. :-(

Certainly not my most expensive folly. :-)

​Ken H.


> https://smile.amazon.com/PEAKMETER-PM18C-Digital-Multimeter-Backlight/dp/
> B01IEXM2FK/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=
> UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8
>
> $15.72 Amazon Prime
>
> Ken too many already H.
>
>
 
I got one when this thread was active the first time...it arrived with an English manual, and it has worked fine the few times I have used it. And,
the stand on the back allows it to hang on the open front hood like a KISS shelf!

--
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
 
I found an English manual someplsce - the thing was sold many places. Basically said read the fial and the readout.

--johnny

--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
Mine came with an English manual. I've already gotten a promise from the
vendor of a replacement (w/no return) after I send them a video showing the
problem. I'll do that tomorrow: Plug two side-by-side meters into the
same socket. We'll see how it goes.

Ken H.​

On Sat, Mar 3, 2018 at 7:07 PM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> I found an English manual someplsce - the thing was sold many places.
> Basically said read the fial and the readout.
>
> --johnny
>
>
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
 
Well, I ended up buying 6 of them from 3 sources. The 2 from Chinese sources came with non-English manuals. I have the English manual in .pdf if
anyone wants one. Of the 6, I kept one, I gave one to my daughter, I gave two away as Christmas presents, and two people at the airport wanted one so
they paid me for them. I installed batteries and tested all 6 of them on several ranges. I primarily tested DC voltage, AC voltage, frequency and
one or two ohm scales. All were very accurate.

What got me test them is I have a Harbor Freight throw away meter that is always reading 2 volt over the actual. So I started comparing DC voltages
on every meter that I found sitting around. The Peak Meters all read the same and matched my oscilloscope. So I assume that they are accurate. I
finally got out the Peak Meter and found that it read correctly.

The high reading HFT one threw me for a loop at first because I could not understand how two 12 volt batteries were reading 14.5 and 14.6 in a coach I
was working on. I looked everywhere for that voltage source. It was the damn meter. I need to remember to hit the it with a hammer so I do to try
to use it again.

I also ordered 6 sets of meter leads with alligator clips on them for less than $2.00 each. I hate using the slide on adapters. One set of leads
went to each new meter owner.

I'm sorry you got a bad one. Hopefully they will make it right.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
If this is the Digital Multimeter mentioned a month or so back, I bought two of them; one for me and one for my son. One of his sons is a student at New Mexico State University in the electrical engineering program. The son and other students bought the SAME meter due to recommendation from their professor.

Mine has NO brand label, but is bright orange and has an LED backlighted display for use in low light situations. I like it.

D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Ken Burton
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 05:05
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter

Well, I ended up buying 6 of them from 3 sources. The 2 from Chinese sources came with non-English manuals. I have the English manual in .pdf if
anyone wants one. Of the 6, I kept one, I gave one to my daughter, I gave two away as Christmas presents, and two people at the airport wanted one so
they paid me for them. I installed batteries and tested all 6 of them on several ranges. I primarily tested DC voltage, AC voltage, frequency and
one or two ohm scales. All were very accurate.

What got me test them is I have a Harbor Freight throw away meter that is always reading 2 volt over the actual. So I started comparing DC voltages
on every meter that I found sitting around. The Peak Meters all read the same and matched my oscilloscope. So I assume that they are accurate. I
finally got out the Peak Meter and found that it read correctly.

The high reading HFT one threw me for a loop at first because I could not understand how two 12 volt batteries were reading 14.5 and 14.6 in a coach I
was working on. I looked everywhere for that voltage source. It was the damn meter. I need to remember to hit the it with a hammer so I do to try
to use it again.

I also ordered 6 sets of meter leads with alligator clips on them for less than $2.00 each. I hate using the slide on adapters. One set of leads
went to each new meter owner.

I'm sorry you got a bad one. Hopefully they will make it right.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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